"In order to encourage the captains of the merchant ships of all counties which carry the lifeblood of the United Kingdom, I made it a point to attend the briefing conference of all captains and chief engineers before their departure. During the winter of '42-'43, when sinkings were at their worst, I could see when I told them of the measures by escort and air cover that were being taken for their protection and safety; I could see that they knew very well and that they knew I knew in spite of my brave words, that anything up to 25 per cent of them would probably not arrive in the U.K. in their own ships, and that probably half of that number would not arrive in the U.K. at all. But there was never a waver in their resolve." — Admiral Leonard Murray, RCN Online source: The Merchant Navy of Canada
Inscription
REAR – ADMIRAL LEONARD WARREN MURRAY, R.C.N.
LE CONTRE – AMIRAL LEONARD WARREN MAUUAY, M.R.C.
(1896 – 1971)
Leonard Murray, a native of Pictou County, joined the navy as
a cadet in 1911 and served in the R.C.N. throughout its formative years. As Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (1939).
,commander of the Newfoundland Escort Force (1941).
Commanding Officer Atlandtic Coast (1942), and Commander-in-Chief Canadian North West Atlantic (1943). Murray was to
become a principal architect and organizer of the ‘Allies’ North
Atlantic convoy system during World War II. He retired from
the R.C.N. in 1945 and moved to England, where he embarked
on a distinguished second career in law.
Né dans le conné de Pictou, Leonard Murray s’enrola dans la
marine comme cadet en 1911 et fit son service Durant les
années de formation de la Marine royale du Canada. Ayant
occupé plusieurs postes de commande, don’t eclui de
commandant en chef de l’Atlantique Nord-Quest en 1943.
Murray devint l’architecte et l’organisateur principal du
Service d’escorte allié de l’Atlantique Nord au cours de la
Deuxieume Guerre mondiale. Il prit sa retraite en 1945 et
s’installa en Arrgleterre où il entreprit une seconde et brillante
carriere dans l’exercice du droit.
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada
Government of Canada – Gouvernement du Canada
Visitor information
Pictou Landing National Historic Site
South side of Upper Road (Highway 348)
Pictou Landing
Nova Scotia
Lat. 45.664167
Long. -62.686944